Asbestos dumpers sought by authorities

Dumped: Illegally dumped material containing asbestos was found at the entrance of Carrawood Park on Tuesday.

INVESTIGATIONS are under way after asbestos was illegally dumped in Carramar and Smithfield last week — the second time in three weeks the deadly substance has been found dumped in the area.

The material was found at the entrance of Carrawood Park, off Quest Avenue, Carramar, and at Rosford Reserve, Smithfield, on Tuesday night.

A Fairfield Council spokesman said both sites had been secured, with Fire and Rescue NSW (HAZMAT) called to clean it up.

"Fairfield Council contractors will carry out testing to confirm the presence of any hazardous substances," she said. "The council takes appropriate action to address all reported incidents of any and all dumped materials."

The carcinogenic material will be taken to the SITA site at Eastern Creek, where it is broken down and disposed of.

Asbestos was also found illegally dumped in Springfield Street, Old Guildford, and the entrance to Knight Park in Donald Street, Fairfield, on April 20.

The spokesman said the council was determined to catch those responsible. The council has put cameras in parks across its local government area.

The maximum penalty for an individual caught disposing of waste deemed harmful to the environment is $1 million and/or seven years' jail.

A corporation found guilty of dumping environmentally harmful waste is liable for a maximum penalty of $5 million.